Last week, I hinted that this post would probably involve bran. I know you’re so disappointed to have these lettuce cups staring you in the face instead. The fact is, when temperatures are in the 90s, even with an air conditioner, I feel less like baking and more like throwing…
Things that will sort out a flustered soul: 1) puppy snuggles. 2) spontaneous road trips. 3) spontaneous road trips with your puppy. 4) spontaneous road trips to pick up your husband who has been away for a week. 5) chocolate chip cookies. On Saturday, I woke up believing that Alex…
Without question, one of the greatest lines ever uttered on film was delivered by Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister in the early-90s Christmas classic Home Alone. As he stands on a balcony in his fantastic house, feeling oppressed and ignored by his enormous family, Kevin yells down at them, “When I grow…
A little over a week ago, Alex and I got to meet Garrison Keillor at a lecture and book signing. Even though I’m a good bit younger than his target audience, I grew up listening to him on the weekly radio show A Prairie Home Companion, especially in the back…
When I first moved to Boston, I was a very committed sight-seer. It was mid-summer, I had no job, and grad school, my reason for moving, didn’t start for nearly two months. The only reason I came up so early was that our lease began in July, and as long…
I’ve noticed a trend on my blog over the last few weeks: a general absence of sweets. It’s weird, but I just haven’t been in the mood for dessert much over the last month or so (except for the few days surrounding my birthday, when I wanted all the cake…
You may be looking at these photos, and the recipe title, and saying, “Wait a second. You’re making oven-roasted veggies… in June? Haven’t you spent the last three summers complaining about the difficulty of cooking in the heat?” And to that, I would respond: yes, I know. And you’re right—I…
I’ve heard a rumor that the next big food trend, which will join the ranks of cupcakes, macarons, and anything served from a truck, is gourmet toast. I can feel your eyes rolling from here, but I have this information on good authority– I heard it first on Wait, Wait……
Do you guys (or gals, I suppose) remember American Girl Magazine? I assume it still exists, but presumably the format and content have changed since I last read it, oh, about 17 years ago. I was an avid reader back in the day– AGM had craft tutorials, advice columns (for…
It’s been a while since we’ve talked about jobs, hasn’t it? Let’s talk about them again for a minute. A couple months ago, I applied for a job that I really wanted. Like, really wanted. I wanted it enough that I was willing to give up my cheesemonger’s life to…
I can’t even begin to explain why, a few weeks ago, I suddenly decided that I needed a bundt cake in my life, and immediately. I know I’m a person who craves a lot of things, but usually they’re things that make sense– a particular type of cookie, hot wings,…
After five years in Boston, I still can’t get over the fact that spring doesn’t arrive until May. In my Deep South childhood, we were already going to pool parties and sunbathing in our backyards by spring break, but here, you can’t even put away your winter clothes until June;…
They say that when something is bothering you, it’s best to get it off your chest. Tell a friend, put it down on paper– somehow, some way, just let it out. It’s a great idea, but I can tell you with certainty that it’s totally ineffective when it comes to…
As someone with a chronic, intense sweet tooth– someone who always hopes for the corner piece of a sheet cake (more frosting!), who thrives on sugary breakfast cereal, who eats the bottom of the cupcake first so that all subsequent bites are mostly buttercream– I’m incredibly confused to find that…
Last week I made a red velvet cake. No, that’s not what I’m showing you today, and it’s a good thing, too– both of the cakes fell apart as I took them out of their pans, and I had to patch all the pieces back together with frosting. That doesn’t…